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Job interviews in Japan: stages, questions and etiquette

How hiring works at a Japanese company: the stages from document screening to the job offer, the questions you will hear and how to answer them, etiquette in the office and online, how to talk about your visa and pay, and what to check in an offer before you accept it.

Common questions

Resume

Checked against the websites of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Immigration Services Agency on October 7, 2026 · How to find a job · Japanese for work

Topics the ministry urges employers not to ask about14

For a Certificate of Eligibility if you are abroad1–3 months

Average monthly starting pay of a university graduate (2025)¥262,300

From this day employers must protect job seekers from sexual harassmentOct 1, 2026

In short

The essentials of a Japanese job interview

  • There are usually several stages: document screening, tests, 2–3 interviews, the offer. Between stages there are usually 1–2 weeks.
  • A Japanese company looks at your motivation, whether you will stay long, teamwork and politeness — as much as at your skills.
  • Talk about your visa early: what status you have, until when, and what this job needs.
  • Questions about family, religion and beliefs are improper in selection, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
  • Do not accept blind: ask for the working conditions in writing before you sign.

Selection stages

From your resume to your first day

The order at most companies; the number of interviews depends on the company and the position.

  1. 書類選考 · shorui senkō — document screeningThe company reads your rirekisho and shokumu keirekisho. How to write them: Japanese resume.
  2. 適性検査 · tekisei kensa — aptitude testsWritten or online tests of logic, language and personality; the best known is SPI. They are often in Japanese.
  3. 一次面接 · ichiji mensetsu — first interviewWith HR or your future manager, often online: experience, motivation, Japanese. In IT there may be a technical task.
  4. 二次面接 · niji mensetsu — second interviewWith the head of the department and the team: your projects, how you work with people.
  5. 最終面接 · saishū mensetsu — final interviewWith a director or senior management: whether you will stay with the company long. Often in the office.
  6. 内定 · naitei — job offerA letter of offer (内定通知書, naitei tsūchisho) with the conditions; the company asks you to sign a letter of acceptance (内定承諾書, naitei shōdakusho).
  7. Conditions and visaWritten working conditions; the company files for your Certificate of Eligibility, or you change your status in Japan.
  8. 入社 · nyūsha — first dayAfter immigration approves.

Common questions

What they ask, and how to answer

Practice your answers in Japanese out loud, but do not memorize a script: Japanese interviewers notice learned phrases. Use polite language — honorific language (敬語, keigo).

Question In English How to answer
自己紹介をお願いします。 “Please introduce yourself.” One minute: name, education, experience, why you are here. Do not retell your resume.
志望動機を教えてください。 “Why do you want to work for us?” The industry → this company → what you bring. Name the company’s product, market or customers.
なぜ日本で働きたいのですか。 “Why do you want to work in Japan?” A professional reason and plans for years ahead: companies fear a foreign hire will leave after a year.
前職を辞めた理由は何ですか。 “Why did you leave your last job?” No complaints about your old employer: say what you want to do next.
あなたの長所と短所は何ですか。 “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” A real weakness, and what you do about it.
これまでの一番の成果は何ですか。 “What is your greatest achievement?” The situation, what you did, the result in numbers.
日本語はどのくらい話せますか。 “How good is your Japanese?” Your JLPT level and where you use the language. Answer in Japanese — that is the test.
在留資格と期限を教えてください。 “What is your status of residence, and until when?” Exactly as on your residence card; say whether you need a change of status.
希望年収はいくらですか。 “What annual income do you expect?” An annual amount or a range — see Pay below.
いつから働けますか。 “When can you start?” A realistic date, allowing for the visa and leaving your current job.
5年後、どうなっていたいですか。 “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Growing in this company, not moving to another country.
最後に何か質問はありますか。 “Do you have any questions for us?” (逆質問, gyaku shitsumon) 2–3 questions about the work, the team, training. “No questions” sounds like no interest.

Improper questions

What they should not ask

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare urges employers to select people only on ability and aptitude for the job. It names 14 topics that can lead to discrimination in hiring. The list itself is guidance, but the Employment Security Act (Article 5-5) and its guidelines also forbid anyone recruiting workers to collect information on your race, ethnicity, family origin, family register and birthplace (本籍), beliefs or union membership unless the job truly requires it.

  • Things you are not responsible for: your family register and birthplace (本籍), your family — their jobs, health, education and income — your housing and living conditions.
  • Things that should be free: religion, beliefs, outlook on life, political party, whom you respect, which newspapers and books you read, trade unions and social movements.
  • Selection methods: background investigations, medical checks with no objective need, questionnaires with such questions.
  • Examples from the ministry’s guidance: “Tell me about your family’s jobs”, “Did you vote?”, “Which newspaper do you read?”, “Bring a copy of your family register before the next stage”.

What to do. You do not have to answer — you can say politely that you would like to talk about the job. You can report such questions to Hello Work or the Prefectural Labor Bureau. From October 1, 2026, employers must also take measures against sexual harassment of job seekers. Free consultations: the General Labor Consultation Corners (総合労働相談コーナー) of the Labor Bureaus; more places to turn: rights and free help.

Etiquette

How to behave in the office

Japanese interview manners are stricter than in most countries. This is what is usually expected of a candidate.

  1. ClothesA dark business suit (リクルートスーツ, rikurūto sūtsu), a light shirt or blouse, neat hair. IT is often more relaxed, but a suit is the safe choice for the first meeting.
  2. Arriving5–10 minutes early. Never be late; if you are delayed, call before the start time. At reception: your name and 「本日○時から面接のお約束をいただいております」 — “I have an interview at … o’clock today”.
  3. EnteringKnock (usually three times), and after 「どうぞ」 enter saying 「失礼いたします」 (shitsurei itashimasu), close the door, bow.
  4. SittingSit down after 「どうぞおかけください」 (dōzo o-kake kudasai). Bag on the floor next to the chair, back straight, hands on your knees.
  5. TalkingAnswer briefly and to the point, main point first. Do not interrupt. If you do not know a word, ask politely.
  6. LeavingStand up, say 「本日はありがとうございました」 (honjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita), and bow again at the door.

Online interviews

If you are abroad or the meeting is by video

  • Test the software, sound and camera in advance; join 5 minutes early.
  • Your display name as on your resume. Plain background, light in front of you, camera at eye level.
  • Mind the time difference: the time in the invitation is Japan time (JST, UTC+9).
  • Clothes and bows as in the office. Look into the camera, not at your own picture.
  • If the connection drops, email or call the number in the invitation at once.
  • You do not have to come to Japan for the visa: the papers for the Certificate of Eligibility are filed in Japan.

Linked to your visa

How to talk about your visa

When hiring, an employer must check your status and name on your residence card. During selection the ministry advises asking about status orally or in writing and checking the card after the job offer (内定). It is better if you explain everything yourself, precisely.

What to tell the employer

  • Your status of residence and the date it expires (on your residence card, 在留カード).
  • Whether you can work now: a student may work part-time up to 28 hours a week with permission.
  • Which status this job needs. Office and engineering work usually needs Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services: a degree in a related field, a related diploma from a Japanese vocational school or 10 years of experience; for international services — 3 years of experience (a university degree is enough for translation and language teaching).
  • If the work is mainly language-based and the company is in category 3 or 4 — from April 15, 2026 you need B2: JLPT N2 or higher, or a BJT score of 400 or more.

Who files the papers

  1. You are abroadThe Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書, CoE) is filed in Japan by an employee of the company as your representative (or another authorized representative). It is free and usually takes 1–3 months.
  2. ExampleThe company files on November 2, 2026 → the certificate arrives roughly between December 2, 2026 and February 2, 2027 → visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate → you enter Japan within 3 months of the certificate’s issue date.
  3. You are in JapanYou usually file the change of status yourself, with documents from the company; it usually takes 1–2 months. Until it is approved you may not do the new job if your current status does not allow it.
  4. You change jobs in the same statusYou can show the new employer a Certificate of Authorized Employment (就労資格証明書); notify immigration of the new contract within 14 days.

Linked to your visa.

  • Do not promise “there will be no visa problems” unless you are sure: the Immigration Services Agency decides.
  • The work in your contract must match your status: if the application says translation but the contract says shop assistant, the status can be refused — work that does not match the application is a typical refusal reason.
  • Pay for the Engineer/Specialist status must be at least what a Japanese worker gets for the same job.

Engineer/Specialist visa · Certificate of Eligibility · Change of status · Job hunting after graduation

Pay

How to talk about money

In Japan, pay is usually discussed in detail near the final stage, or when the company asks. Prepare in advance.

Word Meaning
月給 (gekkyū) Monthly base pay before tax
年収 (nenshū) Annual income before tax: monthly pay × 12 + bonuses + allowances
賞与 (shōyo) Bonus, usually in summer and winter; not required by law
手取り (tedori) Take-home pay — after taxes and social insurance

Example. The average monthly starting pay of a Japanese university graduate in 2025 was ¥262,300 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare wage survey, without overtime and bonuses). For a year that is ¥262,300 × 12 = ¥3,147,600 before tax. Foreign professionals with statuses such as Engineer/Specialist earned ¥313,200 a month on average. What you keep: the take-home pay calculator; pay by profession: salaries in Japan.

  • Give an annual amount or a range and explain what it is based on.
  • A phrase for your answer: 「前職の給与と経験を踏まえ、年収○○万円程度を希望しますが、貴社の規定に従います」 — “based on my previous pay and experience I would like about … a year, but I will follow the company’s rules”.
  • Ask whether the annual amount includes bonuses and fixed overtime pay (固定残業代, kotei zangyōdai) — see working hours and overtime.

After the interview

The thank-you email, and waiting

A thank-you email (お礼メール, orei mēru) is not required, but it is customary in Japan. Send it the same day.

Email In English
件名：本日の面接のお礼（氏名） Subject: Thank you for today’s interview (your name)
株式会社○○　人事部　○○様 To Mr./Ms. …, HR Department, … Co., Ltd.
本日はお忙しいところ、面接の機会をいただき、誠にありがとうございました。 Thank you very much for taking the time to interview me today.
○○についてのお話を伺い、貴社で働きたいという気持ちがいっそう強くなりました。 Hearing about … made me want to work for your company even more.
引き続き、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 I look forward to hearing from you.

If the company gave a date for its answer and it has passed, you may ask politely by email after 2–3 working days. Keep applying for other jobs in the meantime — that is normal practice.

内定 · naitei

The job offer: what to check

First there is often an informal promise (内々定, nainaitei), then the formal job offer (内定).

  • Conditions in writing. When hiring, the employer must give you the main conditions in writing — the notice of working conditions (労働条件通知書). How to read it field by field: your employment contract.
  • Compare with the job ad. If the conditions have changed, the law requires the company to tell you clearly and in advance what has changed.
  • Work and pay that fit your visa. The position and duties must fit the status; the pay must be at least a Japanese worker’s.
  • Ask what happens if the status is refused, and who files the papers, and when.
  • Canceling an offer. Under the court rulings that the Labor Bureau cites, a naitei is usually already a labor contract, with the company’s right to cancel it before you start; canceling needs an objective and reasonable cause. In a dispute — the free mediation of the Labor Bureau.
  • You can decline an offer too — tell them as early as possible, politely and in writing.

Deadlines

Deadlines, and what happens if you miss them

What When If you miss it
Reply after document screening and between stages usually 1–2 weeks no reply after the stated date — ask politely
Thank-you email the day of the interview not required, but after several days it loses its point
Answer to a job offer (内定) the company sets the date the offer may go to another candidate
Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) usually 1–3 months to process; enter Japan within 3 months of issue the certificate expires — the company has to file again
Change of status in Japan usually 1–2 months to process you may not start work your current status does not allow
Notification to immigration about a new contract 14 days a fine of up to ¥200,000

FAQ

Questions about job interviews

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How many interviews are there at a Japanese company?

Usually 2 or 3: a first interview with HR or your future manager, a second with the head of the department, and a final one with senior management. Before them there is often a screening of your documents and an aptitude test such as SPI. Between stages expect 1 to 2 weeks.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare urges employers to select people only on ability and aptitude and lists 14 topics that can lead to discrimination, including religion, political views, family jobs and income. The list itself is guidance, but the Employment Security Act also forbids employers to collect information such as your family origin, birthplace, beliefs or union membership unless the job truly requires it, and you do not have to answer. You can report such questions to Hello Work or the Prefectural Labor Bureau.

In the language of the job. If the job is in Japanese, answer in Japanese even if your level is not perfect: the interview is also your language test. If the company works in English, it will usually say so in the invitation. Prepare your answers out loud but do not learn a script by heart.

Not for the visa. Many companies interview candidates abroad online. If you are hired, an employee of the company usually files the application for your Certificate of Eligibility in Japan as your representative. Some companies still want a final interview in person.

Usually near the final stage, or when the company asks. Give an annual figure or a range and explain what it is based on. Before you accept, check whether bonuses and fixed overtime pay are included in the annual amount.

A formal job offer (naitei) is usually treated as a labor contract with a later start date, which the company may cancel before you start only for a reason that is objectively reasonable, similar to a reason for dismissal. If your offer is canceled, ask for the reason in writing and talk to the General Labor Consultation Corner of the Labor Bureau.

It is not required, but it is common in Japan. Send a short email on the same day: thank them for their time, mention one thing from the conversation that made you want the job more, and close politely. After several days it loses its point.

Study → Find a job → Work → Taxes → PR or leave

From student to working in Japan — and where you are on the way

  1. Studylanguage school · part-time up to 28 h a week
  2. Find a jobresume, interviews, shūkatsuYou are here
  3. Workcontract, pay, your first 30 days
  4. Taxestaxes, insurance and pension
  5. PR or leavea clean record for PR — or the pension refund

Sources

Where this information comes from

Rates, limits and deadlines on this page were checked against the official websites of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Labor Bureaus and the Immigration Services Agency, and against the texts of the laws on October 7, 2026. Amounts are in Japanese yen. When a rule changes we update the page and the date above.

This page is general information, not legal advice. For a labor dispute, talk to the free labor consultation services or a Labor and Social Security Attorney (社会保険労務士, sharōshi). The Immigration Services Agency decides on your status of residence.

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